Every Citizen Is Invited To Reform Party

BY DAVID SHRIER

With the publicity the Reform Party is getting from certain celebrities who want to run for president under our banner, this is a good time to offer some solid information about the Reform Party.

Unlike the old parties, the Reform Party is non-partisan. This means that policies and issues will be tested by what is good for the people - not by what is good for the party.

Reform Party candidates are loyal to their constituents, not to a party structure that demands obedience to its policies.

This is the very essence of grass-roots politics: Power springs from the people, not the party.

We believe that individuals entrusted with public service should be held accountable and responsible for their actions with the authority granted them.

We support policies that reduce the huge influence of moneyed interests in creating our laws and in the conduct of our government.

For example, it is unthinkable for the Reform Party to allow lobbyists for special interests to draft legislation that directly affects those interests. The old parties permit this routinely.

Whose government is this, anyway?

Reform Party candidates are required to sign a Code of Conduct, which includes a provision prohibiting them from accepting any "money or other items of value from any foreign agent, political action committee, registered lobbyist, trade association or labor union."

A candidate who knowingly violates this Code of Conduct forfeits endorsement of the party and the right to circulate nomination papers as a Reform Party candidate.

The old parties continue to funnel secret "soft money" to their candidates through their political action committees, thereby making the raising of unregulated money the all-important factor in elections.

There is no such thing as a Reform Party PAC.

People feel that their votes don't matter, so they don't vote. They see no difference between the old parties. They feel that money drives the entire political process.

To make your vote count, join the Reform Party and run for office. Run for your local election board. It's easy and it's fun, especially when you win.

There is no better time than now to have an effect on your government by joining the newest major party in America: the Reform Party.

David Shrier is executive director of the Reform Party of Philadelphia.